EVGA GeForce GTX 275 CO-OP PhysX Edition: Physics Onboard

It should be noted that the type of computations required to process physical effects in video games is an ideal match for the architecture of modern GPUs from both ATI and Nvidia. There is only one problem. If one and the same computing core is used for both 3D graphics and physics computations, these tasks will conflict, competing for the GPU’s resources and the GPU may prove to be unable to deliver a high enough frame rate in a 3D scene that is graphically complex and also features advanced physical effects. This problem can be solved by installing a second graphics card into the computer and using it as a PhysX accelerator; Nvidia’s drivers offer this opportunity. But it is not always possible or desirable to install a second card whereas the dual-processor GeForce GTX 295, besides its low availability, has such shortcomings as a high price and a high level of power consumption. And what if an advanced and complex GPU is accompanied with a simple and cheap one, serving as a PPU? That must be the reasoning behind EVGA’s decision to develop and market a unique graphics card that comes with a dedicated PhysX accelerator core. We will test the EVGA GeForce GTX 275 CO-OP PhysX Edition in this review and tell you all about all its highs and lows.